MAKURDI/Nigeria: The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hyacinth Dajoh, has faced criticism for keeping the commissioner’ designate list submitted by Governor Hyacinth Alia undisclosed to the public. The Congress of Idoma Media Practitioners, a prominent pressure group, expressed concerns and issued a stern warning that Zone C of the state must not be neglected.
In a statement signed by Okpani Mike Akatu Odeh, the Secretary General of the Group, on Sunday, July 30, 2023, the group found the decision to keep the list secret to be highly suspicious. They questioned the Speaker’s motives, stating, “We are worried by the decision of the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Hyacinth Dajoh, to keep the commissioners designate list to himself. If there is nothing fishy about the list, why is he not making it public?”
Moreover, the Congress of Idoma Media Practitioners warned lawmakers representing Zone C against supporting any policies of the House of Assembly or the state government that would not benefit their constituents. They made it clear that they would not hesitate to mobilize their efforts for the recall of representatives who act as mere rubber stamps in legislative matters. Citing the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the group emphasized the basis for such actions.
On Thursday, the Speaker confirmed the receipt of 14 out of 16 commissioned designates but revealed that the names of the nominees would only be disclosed on the screening day, which further added to the group’s concerns about transparency and fair representation.
The situation has garnered attention and put the spotlight on the need for openness and accountability in the nomination process for key government positions in Benue State.
